Speaker: Shane Clark
Candidate for Bachelor of Science in Biology
Time: 3:35 PM
Place: ACAD 116
Supervisor: Dr. Allan Hook
Title: A Comparative Study to Determine the Best Treatment for Alleviating Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Symptoms

Abstract: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons face an up-hill battle when determining which long-term treatment reduces TMJ symptoms with highest efficiency. Arthroscopic surgery, Arthrocentesis surgery, and Physical therapy are the most common treatments attempting to alleviate TMJ symptoms. These studies have evaluated 2 outcome variables; Maximal Mouth Opening (MMO) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), a pain scale administered prior to and following treatment interventions. Recent studies pertaining to the efficiency of Arthroscopic and Arthrocentesis surgeries show improved MMO and VAS scores with overall success rates of 82% for Arthroscopic and 88% for Arthrocentesis. Another recent study consisting of physical therapy as the treatment of TMJ symptoms had an 80% success rate in alleviating long-term TMJ symptoms. Arthrocentesis surgery for the treatment of TMJ symptoms offers favorable long-term stable results with regards to MMO ranges and VAS scores.